Beyond the influx of big budget “EDM” festivals with lackluster lineups and main stage monotony, there exists a transformational experience that nearly 3,000 veteran burners and new age soul searchers call home for 100 hours. Nestled in the barren mountains and desolate brushes of the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation in Warner Springs, California, house and techno festival, Desert Hearts, returned once again to the simplistic origins of underground rave culture for its three-year anniversary. Think Burning Man without the crowds, sandstorms, and week long survival test. The intimate affair’s motto, “House, Techno, & Love,” was evident in the compassion displayed and relationships forged across the weekend. Here are four reasons (although there are many more) why Desert Hearts deserves a spot on your festival bucket list.

1. Total strangers become family

Photos by: Jamie Rosenberg

Upon approaching the campground entrance, attendees are immediately required to promise one thing all weekend: lots of hugs. Security guards hug patrons. Patrons hug vendors. DJs hug their fans. And often times, they all group hug each other. The amount of love displayed is unparalleled to any other festival until you remember, this isn’t a festival. This is a safe haven to unleash your most inhibited self. Desert Hearts regulars go out of their way to ensure newcomers are made to feel important, even offering up free beverages at the Pile Palace which indirectly serves as a catalyst for strangers to culminate and engage in interesting conversation. One attendee even surprised unsuspecting guests by placing stickers on their backs that read “Encourage me!” or “Tell me something good” without their knowledge, inspiring others to approach them and offer heartwarming messages. While the music lures fans to the dancefloor, the pulse of Desert Hearts always has, and always will be, the connection of common souls.

2. Four straight days of house and techno

Photos by: Jamie Rosenberg

Hanging trees adorned with oversized chandeliers engulf the fairytale stage (the event’s only stage) where the outlines of bobbing leather top hats accented by outlandish Mad Max-inspired fashion dance atop the speakers like the world is watching. Revelers from all over the United States have come not only for the seductive sounds of Claude VonStroke, J. Phlip, Doc Martin, Eddie Richards and Deep Jesus among others, but to uncover a sense of self-realization. Whether dusk or dawn, techno devotees pack the carpeted dance floor relinquishing all concept of time and adding focus to the interaction with those around them.

3. Awe-inspiring artists showcase their insane creative talents

Photos by: Jamie Rosenberg

Fire jugglers, painters and interpretive dancers dazzle spectators as they flaunt their imaginative passions. Some of the West coast’s most gifted creators craft intricate canvas paintings, art installations, and fiery choreographed routines that match the various moods of the music. As night fell, the piercing desert air didn’t seem to halt the productivity of renowned artists like Adelaide Marcus, BeneDigital, Stephen Kruse and Van Saro. Orange flames reflect off the audience’s captivated eyes as high-lying batons are set ablaze and contorted around the bodies of fire performers such as Felix the Firecat and Eve Harper Close, not to mention the hula hoop hypnosis of Hula Rev.

4. Pile Palace provides the ultimate hangout spot

Photo by: Jamie Rosenberg

Photo by: Wobsarazzi

With temperatures abruptly dropping down to the high 20s on some nights, searching for warmth was like trying to find a lifeboat after the Titanic sank. In this case, the relief was found in the form of Pile Palace. Presented as Desert Hearts’ welcome center of sorts, the low-laying couches, body bean bags and endless throw pillows host a revolving mix of seasoned festival-goers and anxious first-timers who share stories of their life experiences and the circumstances that have brought them to this moment. Bundled and snuggled together, peaceful hearts laugh out loud over cups of warm spiked Horchata not knowing when this is all over, their lives will be forever changed.